By Levy Masiteng
South Africa’s U17 Women’s National Team, Bantwana, will face Kenya in the decisive second leg of their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday.
Kick-off is scheduled for 14:00 South African time, with Bantwana needing a big performance to keep their World Cup dream alive.
The South Africans head into the encounter under pressure after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Kenya in the first leg at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria last weekend.
Kenya capitalised on their chances through Faith Boke and Brenda Achieng to take a commanding aggregate advantage into the return fixture.
Despite the setback, Bantwana have shown resilience throughout the qualification campaign. They reached the final round after eliminating Tanzania 2-0 on aggregate, following a disciplined defensive display in a goalless second-leg draw that secured their progression.
Sunday’s match represents the biggest test of South Africa’s campaign.
Bantwana must overturn the two-goal deficit to have any chance of qualifying for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will be staged in Morocco from October 17 to November 7.
Anything less than a two-goal victory will end their qualification hopes.
A 2-0 win would leave the teams level on aggregate and away goals and send the tie to penalties, while a two-goal victory in which South Africa score at least three times, or a win by three or more goals, would secure one of the four World Cup places available through the African qualifying competition.
South Africa will need to be more clinical in front of goal after struggling to break down Kenya’s organised defence in the first leg. The visitors are expected to play with greater attacking intent from the opening whistle while remaining wary of Kenya’s pace on the counterattack.
Kenya, meanwhile, will be full of confidence after their impressive away victory and will look to use home support in Nairobi to finish the job.
The Junior Starlets are aiming to qualify for their second FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, having made their debut in 2024, and know that avoiding a heavy defeat will be enough to send them to Morocco.
For Bantwana, however, the equation is simple. Ninety minutes stand between heartbreak and history, and the young South Africans will be determined to produce a memorable comeback to keep their World Cup ambitions alive.
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